The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 17—Heralds of the Morning

One of the most solemn and yet most glorious truths revealed in the Bible is that of Christ's second coming, to complete the great work of redemption. To God's pilgrim people, so long left to sojourn in the “region and shadow of death,” a precious, joy-inspiring hope is given in the promise of His appearing, who is “the resurrection and the life,” to “bring home again his banished.” The doctrine of the second advent is the very key-note of the sacred Scriptures. From the day when the first pair turned their sorrowing steps from Eden, the children of faith have waited the coming of the Promised One to break the destroyer's power and bring them again to the lost Paradise. Holy men of old looked forward to the advent of the Messiah in glory, as the consummation of their hope. Enoch, only the seventh in descent from them that dwelt in Eden, he who for three centuries on earth walked with his God, was permitted to behold from afar the coming of the Deliverer. “Behold,” he declared, “the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all.” [Jude 14, 15.] The patriarch Job in the night of his affliction exclaimed with unshaken trust: “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; ... in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.” [Job 19:25-27.] GC88 299.1

The coming of Christ to usher in the reign of righteousness, has inspired the most sublime and impassioned utterances of the sacred writers. The poets and prophets of the Bible have dwelt upon it in words glowing with celestial fire. The psalmist sung of the power and majesty of Israel's King: “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence.... He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.” [Psalm 50:2-4.] “Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad” “before the Lord; for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” [Psalm 96:11, 13.] GC88 299.2

Said the prophet Isaiah: “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.” “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” [Isaiah 26:19; 25:8, 9.] GC88 300.1

And Habakkuk, rapt in holy vision, beheld His appearing. “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness was as the light.” “He stood, and measured the earth; he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow; his ways are everlasting.” “Thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation.” “The mountains saw thee, and they trembled... The deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. The sun and moon stood still in their habitation; at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.” “Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed.” [Habakkuk 3:3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13.] GC88 300.2

When the Saviour was about to be separated from his disciples, he comforted them in their sorrow with the assurance that he would come again: “Let not your heart be troubled.” “In my Father's house are many mansions.” “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” [John 14:1-3.] “The Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him. Then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations.” [Matthew 25:31, 32.] GC88 301.1

The angels who lingered upon Olivet after Christ's ascension, repeated to the disciples the promise of his return: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” [Acts 1:11.] And the apostle Paul, speaking by the Spirit of inspiration, testified: “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” [1 Thessalonians 4:16.] Says the prophet of Patmos: “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.” [Revelation 1:7.] GC88 301.2

About his coming cluster the glories of that “restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” [Acts 3:21.] Then the long-continued rule of evil shall be broken; “the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” [Revelation 11:15.] “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” “The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” He shall be “for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people.” [Isaiah 40:5; 61:11; 28:5.] GC88 301.3

It is then that the peaceful and long-desired kingdom of the Messiah shall be established under the whole heaven. “The Lord shall comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord.” “The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon.” “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate; but thou shalt be called My Delight, and thy land Beulah.” “As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” [Isaiah 51:3; 35:2; 62:4, 5 (Margin).] GC88 301.4

The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of his true followers. The Saviour's parting promise upon Olivet, that he would come again, lighted up the future for his disciples, filling their hearts with joy and hope, that sorrow could not quench, nor trials dim. Amid suffering and persecution, “the appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” was the “blessed hope.” When the Thessalonian Christians were filled with grief as they buried their loved ones, who had hoped to live to witness the coming of the Lord, Paul, their teacher, pointed them to the resurrection, to take place at the Saviour's advent. Then the dead in Christ should rise, and together with the living be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. “And so,” he said, “shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” [1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.] GC88 302.1

On rocky Patmos the beloved disciple hears the promise, “Surely, I come quickly,” and his longing response voices the prayer of the church in all her pilgrimage, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” [Revelation 22:20.] GC88 302.2

From the dungeon, the stake, the scaffold, where saints and martyrs witnessed for the truth, comes down the centuries the utterance of their faith and hope. “Being assured of Christ's personal resurrection, and consequently of their own at his coming, for this cause,” says one of these Christians, “they despised death, and were found to be above it.” They were willing to go down to the grave, that they “might rise free.” They looked for the “Lord to come from Heaven in the clouds with the glory of his Father,” “bringing to the just the times of the kingdom.” The Waldenses cherished the same faith. Wycliffe looked forward to the Redeemer's appearing as the hope of the church. GC88 302.3

Luther declared: “I persuade myself verily, that the day of Judgment will not be absent full three hundred years. God will not, cannot, suffer this wicked world much longer.” “The great day is drawing near in which the kingdom of abominations shall be overthrown.” GC88 303.1

“This aged world is not far from its end,” said Melancthon. Calvin bids Christians “not to hesitate, ardently desiring the day of Christ's coming as of all events most auspicious;” and declares that “the whole family of the faithful will keep in view that day.” “We must hunger after Christ, we must seek, contemplate,” he says, “till the dawning of that great day, when our Lord will fully manifest the glory of his kingdom.” GC88 303.2

“Has not our Lord Jesus carried up our flesh into Heaven?” said Knox, the Scotch reformer, “and shall he not return? We know that he shall return, and that with expedition.” Ridley and Latimer, who laid down their lives for the truth, looked in faith for the Lord's coming. Ridley wrote: “The world without doubt—this I do believe, and therefore I say it—draws to an end. Let us with John, the servant of God, cry in our hearts unto our Saviour Christ, Come, Lord Jesus, come.” GC88 303.3

“The thoughts of the coming of the Lord,” said Baxter, “are most sweet and joyful to me.” “It is the work of faith and the character of his saints to love his appearing and to look for that blessed hope.” “If death be the last enemy to be destroyed at the resurrection, we may learn how earnestly believers should long and pray for the second coming of Christ, when this full and final conquest shall be made.” “This is the day that all believers should long, and hope, and wait for, as being the accomplishment of all the work of their redemption, and all the desires and endeavors of their souls.” “Hasten, O Lord, this blessed day!” Such was the hope of the apostolic church, of the “church in the wilderness,” and of the reformers. GC88 303.4

Prophecy not only foretells the manner and object of Christ's coming, but presents tokens by which men are to know when it is near. Said Jesus: “There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars.” [Luke 21:25.] “The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.” [Mark 13:24-26.] The Revelator thus describes the first of the signs to precede the second advent: “There was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon become as blood.” [Revelation 6:12.] GC88 304.1

These signs were witnessed before the opening of the present century. In fulfillment of this prophecy there occurred, in the year 1755, the most terrible earthquake that has ever been recorded. Though commonly known as the earthquake of Lisbon, it extended to the greater part of Europe, Africa, and America. It was felt in Greenland, in the West Indies, in the island of Madeira, in Norway and Sweden, Great Britain and Ireland. It pervaded an extent of not less than four million square miles. In Africa the shock was almost as severe as in Europe. A great part of Algiers was destroyed; and a short distance from Morocco, a village containing eight or ten thousand inhabitants was swallowed up. A vast wave swept over the coast of Spain and Africa, engulfing cities, and causing great destruction. GC88 304.2

It was in Spain and Portugal that the shock manifested its extreme violence. At Cadiz the inflowing wave was said to be sixty feet high. Mountains—some of the largest in Portugal—“were impetuously shaken, as it were from the very foundation; and some of them opened at their summits, which were split and rent in a wonderful manner, huge masses of them being thrown down into the subjacent valleys. Flames are related to have issued from these mountains.” GC88 304.3

At Lisbon “a sound of thunder was heard underground, and immediately afterward a violent shock threw down the greater part of that city. In the course of about six minutes sixty thousand persons perished. The sea first retired, and laid the bar dry, it then rolled in, rising fifty feet above its ordinary level.” “The most extraordinary circumstance which occurred at Lisbon during the catastrophe, was the subsidence of the new quay, built entirely of marble, at an immense expense. A great concourse of people had collected there for safety, as a spot where they might be beyond the reach of falling ruins; but suddenly the quay sunk down with all the people on it, and not one of the dead bodies ever floated to the surface.” GC88 305.1

The shock of the earthquake “was instantly followed by the fall of every church and convent, almost all the large and public buildings, and one-fourth of the houses. In about two hours afterward, fires broke out in different quarters, and raged with such violence for the space of nearly three days that the city was completely desolated. The earthquake happened on a holy day, when the churches and convents were full of people, very few of whom escaped.” “The terror of the people was beyond description. Nobody wept; it was beyond tears. They ran hither and thither, delirious with horror and astonishment, beating their faces and breasts, crying, ‘Misericordia! the world's at an end!’ Mothers forgot their children, and ran loaded with crucifixed images. Unfortunately, many ran to the churches for protection; but in vain was the sacrament exposed; in vain did the poor creatures embrace the altars; images, priests, and people were buried in one common ruin.” “Ninety thousand persons are supposed to have been lost on that fatal day.” GC88 305.2

Twenty-five years later appeared the next sign mentioned in the prophecy,—the darkening of the sun and moon. What rendered this more striking was the fact that the time of its fulfillment had been definitely pointed out. In the Saviour's conversation with his disciples upon Olivet, after describing the long period of trial for the church—the 1260 years of papal persecution, concerning which he had promised that the tribulation should be shortened—he thus mentioned certain events to precede his coming, and fixed the time when the first of these should be witnessed: “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.” [Mark 13:24.] The 1260 days, or years, terminated in 1798. A quarter of a century earlier, persecution had almost wholly ceased. Between these two dates, according to the words of Christ, the sun was to be darkened. On the 19th of May, 1780, this prophecy was fulfilled. GC88 305.3

“Almost if not altogether alone as the most mysterious and as yet unexplained phenomenon of its kind, ... stands the dark day of May 19, 1780,—a most unaccountable darkening of the whole visible heavens and atmosphere in New England.” That the darkness was not due to an eclipse is evident from the fact that the moon was then nearly full. It was not caused by clouds, or the thickness of the atmosphere, for in some localities where the darkness extended, the sky was so clear that the stars could be seen. Concerning the inability of science to assign a satisfactory cause for this manifestation, Herschel the astronomer declares: “The dark day in North America was one of those wonderful phenomena of nature which philosophy is at a loss to explain.” GC88 306.1

“The extent of the darkness was also very remarkable. It was observed at the most easterly regions of New England; westward, to the farthest part of Connecticut, and at Albany, N. Y.; to the southward, it was observed all along the sea coast; and to the north, as far as the American settlements extended. It probably far exceeded those boundaries, but the exact limits were never positively known. With regard to its duration, it continued in the neighborhood of Boston for at least fourteen or fifteen hours.” GC88 306.2

“The morning was clear and pleasant, but about eight o'clock there was observed an uncommon appearance in the sun. There were no clouds, but the air was thick, having a smoky appearance, and the sun shone with a pale, yellowish hue, but kept growing darker and darker, until it was hid from sight.” There was “midnight darkness at noonday.” GC88 307.1

“The occurrence brought intense alarm and distress to multitudes of minds, as well as dismay to the whole brute creation, the fowls fleeing bewildered to their roosts, and the birds to their nests, and the cattle returning to their stalls.” Frogs and night hawks began their notes. The cocks crew as at daybreak. Farmers were forced to leave their work in the fields. Business was generally suspended, and candles were lighted in the dwellings. “The Legislature of Connecticut was in session at Hartford, but being unable to transact business adjourned. Everything bore the appearance and gloom of night.” GC88 307.2

The intense darkness of the day was succeeded, an hour or two before evening, by a partially clear sky, and the sun appeared, though it was still obscured by the black, heavy mist. But “this interval was followed by a return of the obscuration with greater density, that rendered the first half of the night hideously dark beyond all former experience of the probable million of people who saw it. From soon after sunset until midnight, no ray of light from moon or star penetrated the vault above. It was pronounced ‘the blackness of darkness!’” Said an eye-witness of the scene: “I could not help conceiving, at the time, that if every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable darkness, or struck out of existence, the darkness could not have been more complete.” Though the moon that night rose to the full, “it had not the least effect to dispel the death-like shadows.” After midnight the darkness disappeared, and the moon, when first visible, had the appearance of blood. GC88 307.3

The poet Whittier thus speaks of this memorable day:— GC88 308.1

“‘Twas on a May-day of the far old year
Seventeen hundred eighty, that there fell
Over the bloom and sweet life of the spring,
Over the fresh earth, and the heaven of noon,
A horror of great darkness.”
“Men prayed, and women wept; all ears grew sharp
To hear the doom-blast of the trumpet shatter
The black sky.” GC88 308.2

May 19, 1780, stands in history as “The Dark Day.” Since the time of Moses, no period of darkness of equal density, extent, and duration has ever been recorded. The description of this event, as given by the poet and the historian, is but an echo of the words of the Lord, recorded by the prophet Joel, twenty-five hundred years previous to their fulfillment: “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” [Joel 2:31.] GC88 308.3

Christ had bidden his people watch for the signs of his advent, and rejoice as they should behold the tokens of their coming King. “When these things begin to come to pass,” he said, “then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” He pointed his followers to the budding trees of spring, and said: “When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” [Luke 21:28, 30, 31.] GC88 308.4

But as the spirit of humility and devotion in the church had given place to pride and formalism, love for Christ and faith in his coming had grown cold. Absorbed in worldliness and pleasure-seeking, the professed people of God were blinded to the Saviour's instructions concerning the signs of his appearing. The doctrine of the second advent had been neglected; the scriptures relating to it were obscured by misinterpretation, until it was, to a great extent, ignored and forgotten. Especially was this the case in the churches of America. The freedom and comfort enjoyed by all classes of society, the ambitious desire for wealth and luxury, begetting an absorbing devotion to money-making, the eager rush for popularity and power, which seemed to be within the reach of all, led men to center their interests and hopes on the things of this life, and to put far in the future that solemn day when the present order of things should pass away. GC88 308.5

When the Saviour pointed out to his followers the signs of his return, he foretold the state of backsliding that would exist just prior to his second advent. There would be, as in the days of Noah, the activity and stir of worldly business and pleasure-seeking—buying, selling, planting, building, marrying, and giving in marriage—with forgetfulness of God and the future life. For those living at this time, Christ's admonition is: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” [Luke 21:34, 36.] GC88 309.1

The condition of the church at this time is pointed out in the Saviour's words in the Revelation: “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” [Revelation 3:1, 3.] And to those who refuse to arouse from their careless security, the solemn warning is addressed: “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” [Revelation 3:1, 3.] GC88 309.2

It was needful that men should be awakened to their danger; that they should be roused to prepare for the solemn events connected with the close of probation. The prophet of God declares: “The day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” [Joel 2:11.] Who shall stand when He appeareth who is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity?” [Habakkuk 1:13.] To them that cry, “My God, we know thee,” yet have transgressed his covenant, and hastened after another god, [Hosea 8:2, 1; Psalm 16:4.] hiding iniquity in their hearts, and loving the paths of unrighteousness, to these, the day of the Lord is “darkness, and not light, even very dark, and no brightness in it.” [Amos 5:20.] “It shall come to pass at that time,” saith the Lord, “that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees; that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.” [Zephaniah 1:12.] “I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” [Isaiah 13:11.] “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them;” “their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation.” [Zephaniah 1:18, 13.] GC88 309.3

The prophet Jeremiah, looking forward to this fearful time, exclaimed: “I am pained at my very heart.” “I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried.” [Jeremiah 4:19, 20.] GC88 310.1

“That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm.” [Zephaniah 1:15, 16.] “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, ... to lay the land desolate, and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” [Isaiah 13:9.] GC88 310.2

In view of that great day the Word of God, in the most solemn and impressive language, calls upon his people to arouse from their spiritual lethargy, and to seek his face with repentance and humiliation: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” “Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children.... Let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar.” “Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.” [Joel 2:1, 15-18, 12, 13.] GC88 310.3

To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished. God saw that many of his professed people were not building for eternity, and in his mercy he was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor, and lead them to make ready for the coming of their Lord. GC88 311.1

This warning is brought to view in Revelation 14. Here is a threefold message represented as proclaimed by heavenly beings, and immediately followed by the coming of the Son of man “to reap the harvest of the earth.” The first of these warnings announces the approaching Judgment. The prophet beheld an angel flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his Judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” [Revelation 14:6, 7.] GC88 311.2

This message is declared to be a part of the “everlasting gospel.” The work of preaching the gospel has not been committed to angels, but has been intrusted to men. Holy angels have been employed in directing this work, they have in charge the great movements for the salvation of men; but the actual proclamation of the gospel is performed by the servants of Christ upon the earth. GC88 311.3

Faithful men, who were obedient to the promptings of God's Spirit and the teachings of his Word, were to proclaim this warning to the world. They were those who had taken heed to the “sure word of prophecy,” the “light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise.” [2 Peter 1:19.] They had been seeking the knowledge of God more than all hid treasures, counting it “better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” [Proverbs 3:14.] And the Lord revealed to them the great things of the kingdom. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.” [Psalm 25:14.] GC88 311.4

It was not the leaders in the church who had an understanding of this truth, and engaged in its proclamation. Had these been faithful watchmen, diligently and prayerfully searching the Scriptures, they would have known the time of night; the prophecies would have opened to them the events about to take place. But they did not occupy this position, and the message was given by another class. Said Jesus, “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” [John 12:35.] Those who turn away from the light which God has given, or who neglect to seek it when it is within their reach, are left in darkness. But the Saviour declares, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [John 8:12.] Whoever is with singleness of purpose seeking to do God's will, earnestly heeding the light already given, will receive greater light; to that soul some star of heavenly radiance will be sent, to guide him into all truth. GC88 312.1

At the time of Christ's first advent, the priests and scribes of the holy city, to whom were intrusted the oracles of God, might have discerned the signs of the times, and proclaimed the coming of the Promised One. The prophecy of Micah designated his birthplace; [Micah 5:2.] Daniel specified the time of his advent. [Daniel 9:25.] God had committed these prophecies to the Jewish leaders; they were without excuse if they did not know and declare to the people that the Messiah's coming was at hand. Their ignorance was the result of sinful neglect. The Jews were building monuments for the slain prophets of God, while by their deference to the great men of earth they were paying homage to the servants of Satan. Absorbed in their ambitious strife for place and power among men, they lost sight of the divine honors proffered them by the King of Heaven. GC88 312.2

With profound and reverent interest the elders of Israel should have been studying the place, the time, the circumstances, of the greatest event in the world's history,—the coming of the Son of God to accomplish the redemption of man. All the people should have been watching and waiting that they might be among the first to welcome the world's Redeemer. But lo, at Bethlehem two weary travelers from the hills of Nazareth traverse the whole length of the narrow street to the eastern extremity of the town, vainly seeking a place of rest and shelter for the night. No doors are open to receive them. In a wretched hovel prepared for cattle, they at last find refuge, and there the Saviour of the world is born. GC88 313.1

Heavenly angels had seen the glory which the Son of God shared with the Father before the world was, and they had looked forward with intense interest to his appearing on earth as an event fraught with the greatest joy to all people. Angels were appointed to carry the glad tidings to those who were prepared to receive it, and who would joyfully make it known to the inhabitants of the earth. Christ had stooped to take upon himself man's nature; he was to bear an infinite weight of woe as he should make his soul an offering for sin; yet angels desired that even in his humiliation, the Son of the Highest might appear before men with a dignity and glory befitting his character. Would the great men of earth assemble at Israel's capital to greet his coming? Would legions of angels present him to the expectant company? GC88 313.2

An angel visits the earth to see who are prepared to welcome Jesus. But he can discern no tokens of expectancy. He hears no voice of praise and triumph that the period of Messiah's coming is at hand. The angel hovers for a time over the chosen city and the temple where the divine presence was manifested for ages; but even here is the same indifference. The priests, in their pomp and pride, are offering polluted sacrifices in the temple. The Pharisees are with loud voices addressing the people, or making boastful prayers at the corners of the streets. In the palaces of kings, in the assemblies of philosophers, in the schools of the rabbis, all are alike unmindful of the wondrous fact which has filled all Heaven with joy and praise, that the Redeemer of men is about to appear upon the earth. GC88 313.3

There is no evidence that Christ is expected, and no preparation for the Prince of life. In amazement the celestial messenger is about to return to Heaven with the shameful tidings, when he discovers a group of shepherds who are watching their flocks by night, and, as they gaze into the starry heavens, are contemplating the prophecy of a Messiah to come to earth, and longing for the advent of the world's Redeemer. Here is a company that are prepared to receive the heavenly message. And suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared, declaring the good tidings of great joy. Celestial glory flooded all the plain, an innumerable company of angels was revealed, and as if the joy were too great for one messenger to bring from Heaven, a multitude of voices broke forth in the anthem which all the nations of the saved shall one day sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.” [Luke 2:14.] GC88 314.1

Oh, what a lesson is this wonderful story of Bethlehem! How it rebukes our unbelief, our pride, and a self-sufficiency. How it warns us to beware, lest by our criminal indifference we also fail to discern the signs of the times, and therefore know not the day of our visitation. GC88 314.2

It was not alone upon the hills of Judea, not among the lowly shepherds only, that angels found the watchers for Messiah's coming. In the land of the heathen also were those that looked for him; they were wise men, rich and noble, the philosophers of the East. Students of nature, the magi had seen God in his handiwork. From the Hebrew Scriptures they had learned of the Star to arise out of Jacob, and with eager desire they waited His coming, who should be not only the “Consolation of Israel,” but a “Light to lighten the Gentiles,” and “for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” [Luke 2:25, 32; Acts 13:47.] They were seekers for light, and light from the throne of God illumined the path for their feet. While the priests and rabbis of Jerusalem, the appointed guardians and expounders of the truth, were shrouded in darkness, the Heaven-sent star guided these Gentile strangers to the birthplace of the new-born King. GC88 314.3

It is “unto them that look for him” that Christ is to “appear the second time, without sin unto salvation.” [Hebrews 9:28.] Like the tidings of the Saviour's birth, the message of the second advent was not committed to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with God, and had refused light from Heaven; therefore they were not of the number described by the apostle Paul: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” [1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5.] GC88 315.1

The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should have been the first to catch the tidings of the Saviour's advent, the first to lift their voices to proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for his coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw his church, like the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence, and faith—which alone could render the service acceptable to God—was lacking. Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A backsliding church closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did not forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail; but they departed from him, and separated themselves from his love. As they refused to comply with the conditions, his promises were not fulfilled to them. GC88 315.2

Such is the sure result of neglect to appreciate and improve the light and privileges which God bestows. Unless the church will follow on in his opening providence, accepting every ray of light, performing every duty which may be revealed, religion will inevitably degenerate into the observance of forms, and the spirit of vital godliness will disappear. This truth has been repeatedly illustrated in the history of the church. God requires of his people works of faith and obedience corresponding to the blessings and privileges bestowed. Obedience requires a sacrifice and involves a cross; and this is why so many of the professed followers of Christ refused to receive the light from Heaven, and, like the Jews of old, knew not the time of their visitation. [Luke 19:44.] Because of their pride and unbelief, the Lord passed them by and revealed his truth to those who, like the shepherds of Bethlehem and the Eastern magi, had given heed to all the light they had received. GC88 316.1

133 GC88 The Great Controversy (1888 ed.) [{"para_id":"133.2","title":"The Great Controversy1888","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0000_eng_f_publisher_s_preface_133_2.mp3#duration=356&size=2342764"},{"para_id":"133.18","title":"Author's Preface","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0001_eng_f_author_s_preface_133_18.mp3#duration=1007&size=6249005"},{"para_id":"133.77","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Destruction of Jerusalem","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0002_eng_f_chapter_1_destruction_of_jerusalem_133_77.mp3#duration=2699&size=16399021"},{"para_id":"133.168","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Persecution in the First Centuries","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0003_eng_f_chapter_2_persecution_in_the_first_centuries_133_168.mp3#duration=1208&size=7451128"},{"para_id":"133.211","title":"Chapter 3\u2014The Apostasy","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0004_eng_f_chapter_3_the_apostasy_133_211.mp3#duration=1510&size=9266404"},{"para_id":"133.267","title":"Chapter 4\u2014The Waldenses","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0005_eng_f_chapter_4_the_waldenses_133_267.mp3#duration=2203&size=13425186"},{"para_id":"133.346","title":"Chapter 5\u2014John Wycliffe","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0006_eng_f_chapter_5_john_wycliffe_133_346.mp3#duration=2203&size=13423803"},{"para_id":"133.429","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Huss and Jerome","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0007_eng_f_chapter_6_huss_and_jerome_133_429.mp3#duration=2996&size=18183895"},{"para_id":"133.540","title":"Chapter 7\u2014Luther's Separation from Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0008_eng_f_chapter_7_luther_s_separation_from_rome_133_540.mp3#duration=3216&size=19504966"},{"para_id":"133.658","title":"Chapter 8\u2014Luther Before the Diet","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0009_eng_f_chapter_8_luther_before_the_diet_133_658.mp3#duration=3347&size=20289602"},{"para_id":"133.782","title":"Chapter 9\u2014The Swiss Reformer","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0010_eng_f_chapter_9_the_swiss_reformer_133_782.mp3#duration=1733&size=10604642"},{"para_id":"133.847","title":"Chapter 10\u2014Progress of Reform in Germany","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0011_eng_f_chapter_10_progress_of_reform_in_germany_133_847.mp3#duration=1531&size=9390885"},{"para_id":"133.910","title":"Chapter 11\u2014Protest of the Princes","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0012_eng_f_chapter_11_protest_of_the_princes_133_910.mp3#duration=1804&size=11028568"},{"para_id":"133.974","title":"Chapter 12\u2014The French Reformation","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0013_eng_f_chapter_12_the_french_reformation_133_974.mp3#duration=3449&size=20904777"},{"para_id":"133.1090","title":"Chapter 13\u2014In the Netherlands and Scandinavia","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0014_eng_f_chapter_13_in_the_netherlands_and_scandinavia_133_1090.mp3#duration=994&size=6167192"},{"para_id":"133.1126","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Later English Reformers","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0015_eng_f_chapter_14_later_english_reformers_133_1126.mp3#duration=2569&size=15620067"},{"para_id":"133.1223","title":"Chapter 15\u2014The Bible and the French Revolution","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0016_eng_f_chapter_15_the_bible_and_the_french_revolution_133_1223.mp3#duration=3076&size=18665585"},{"para_id":"133.1327","title":"Chapter 16\u2014The Pilgrim Fathers","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0017_eng_f_chapter_16_the_pilgrim_fathers_133_1327.mp3#duration=1238&size=7633728"},{"para_id":"133.1372","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Heralds of the Morning","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0018_eng_f_chapter_17_heralds_of_the_morning_133_1372.mp3#duration=2206&size=13444117"},{"para_id":"133.1457","title":"Chapter 18\u2014An American Reformer","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0019_eng_f_chapter_18_an_american_reformer_133_1457.mp3#duration=3265&size=19796080"},{"para_id":"133.1573","title":"Chapter 19\u2014Light Through Darkness","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0020_eng_f_chapter_19_light_through_darkness_133_1573.mp3#duration=1446&size=8882010"},{"para_id":"133.1626","title":"Chapter 20\u2014A Great Religious Awakening","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0021_eng_f_chapter_20_a_great_religious_awakening_133_1626.mp3#duration=2503&size=15222456"},{"para_id":"133.1715","title":"Chapter 21\u2014A Warning Rejected","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0022_eng_f_chapter_21_a_warning_rejected_133_1715.mp3#duration=2024&size=12348051"},{"para_id":"133.1785","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Prophecies Fulfilled","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0023_eng_f_chapter_22_prophecies_fulfilled_133_1785.mp3#duration=2251&size=13713375"},{"para_id":"133.1862","title":"Chapter 23\u2014What is the Sanctuary?","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0024_eng_f_chapter_23_what_is_the_sanctuary_133_1862.mp3#duration=1771&size=10829837"},{"para_id":"133.1928","title":"Chapter 24\u2014In the Holy of Holies","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0025_eng_f_chapter_24_in_the_holy_of_holies_133_1928.mp3#duration=1142&size=7060088"},{"para_id":"133.1970","title":"Chapter 25\u2014God's Law Immutable","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0026_eng_f_chapter_25_god_s_law_immutable_133_1970.mp3#duration=2218&size=13513899"},{"para_id":"133.2046","title":"Chapter 26\u2014A Work of Reform","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0027_eng_f_chapter_26_a_work_of_reform_133_2046.mp3#duration=1216&size=7504264"},{"para_id":"133.2092","title":"Chapter 27\u2014Modern Revivals","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0028_eng_f_chapter_27_modern_revivals_133_2092.mp3#duration=2290&size=13945530"},{"para_id":"133.2175","title":"Chapter 28\u2014The Investigative Judgment","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0029_eng_f_chapter_28_the_investigative_judgment_133_2175.mp3#duration=1604&size=9831422"},{"para_id":"133.2235","title":"Chapter 29\u2014The Origin of Evil","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0030_eng_f_chapter_29_the_origin_of_evil_133_2235.mp3#duration=1618&size=9914252"},{"para_id":"133.2292","title":"Chapter 30\u2014Enmity Between Man and Satan","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0031_eng_f_chapter_30_enmity_between_man_and_satan_133_2292.mp3#duration=763&size=4782913"},{"para_id":"133.2319","title":"Chapter 31\u2014Agency of Evil Spirits","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0032_eng_f_chapter_31_agency_of_evil_spirits_133_2319.mp3#duration=836&size=5224321"},{"para_id":"133.2351","title":"Chapter 32\u2014Snares of Satan","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0033_eng_f_chapter_32_snares_of_satan_133_2351.mp3#duration=1598&size=9793812"},{"para_id":"133.2415","title":"Chapter 33\u2014The First Great Deception","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0034_eng_f_chapter_33_the_first_great_deception_133_2415.mp3#duration=2460&size=14968952"},{"para_id":"133.2509","title":"Chapter 34\u2014Spiritualism","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0035_eng_f_chapter_34_spiritualism_133_2509.mp3#duration=1425&size=8754112"},{"para_id":"133.2557","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Character and Aims of the Papacy","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0036_eng_f_chapter_35_character_and_aims_of_the_papacy_133_2557.mp3#duration=2361&size=14372634"},{"para_id":"133.2646","title":"Chapter 36\u2014The Impending Conflict\u2014Its Causes","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0037_eng_f_chapter_36_the_impending_conflict_its_causes_133_2646.mp3#duration=1414&size=8687265"},{"para_id":"133.2691","title":"Chapter 37\u2014The Scriptures a Safeguard","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0038_eng_f_chapter_37_the_scriptures_a_safeguard_133_2691.mp3#duration=1188&size=7332697"},{"para_id":"133.2737","title":"Chapter 38\u2014The Final Warning","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0039_eng_f_chapter_38_the_final_warning_133_2737.mp3#duration=1197&size=7386359"},{"para_id":"133.2776","title":"Chapter 39\u2014\u201cThe Time of Trouble\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0040_eng_f_chapter_39_the_time_of_trouble_133_2776.mp3#duration=2781&size=16892075"},{"para_id":"133.2875","title":"Chapter 40\u2014God's People Delivered","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0041_eng_f_chapter_40_god_s_people_delivered_133_2875.mp3#duration=2265&size=13796306"},{"para_id":"133.2954","title":"Chapter 41\u2014Desolation of the Earth","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0042_eng_f_chapter_41_desolation_of_the_earth_133_2954.mp3#duration=1114&size=6886928"},{"para_id":"133.2999","title":"Chapter 42\u2014The Controversy Ended","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0043_eng_f_chapter_42_the_controversy_ended_133_2999.mp3#duration=2190&size=13345034"},{"para_id":"133.3081","title":"Appendix","mp3":"\/mp3\/133\/0044_eng_f_appendix_133_3081.mp3#duration=2758&size=16755454"}]